*Violet's POV*

I walked ahead of the rest of the group, following closely behind Lucy, using my magic to keep tabs on the other's behind me. Grey and Erza were walking on either side of Natsu and Happy, as if ready to reach out and grab them at any given moment. It was as though they had been sent to be Natsu's bodyguards rather than mine.

As always, Natsu himself was hard to read, but as far as I could tell he didn't mind the argentments, assuming he noticed them at all. Perhaps he had been expecting something like this after all.

Happy on the other hand was a little more nervous. The sound of his wing beats made me think he must have been darting from side to side. I could tell that he wasn't used to being so unsure, but I didn't know the cause of his angisty. Me perhaps, or the others, or maybe it was just the situation itself. I wasn't the only one thinking it might have been better if the two of them had stayed home.

Finally, we neared the train station. I lingered behind the others while they bought tickets, letting out a quiet thank you then Erza pressed one into my hand. I said nothing as we boarded the train.

As soon as I walked onto the car I realised that the compartments only held four people. Two of us were going to end up alone. Lucy had led the way, followed by Grey then me and Erza. Natsu and Happy took up the rear, the frommer complaining about motion sickness loud enough to turn the heads of strangers around us.

I didn't want to deal with any of them.

Lucy settled into a compamermet about half way down the train car with such ease that I wondered if it was her usual seat. I already knew that the group was going to get split up, and I was too tired to deal with making a decision.

I waited until Grey had joined Lucy, and then walked farther down the car, selecting an empty area just out of earshot of the others. I knew that it was unrealistic to think that I would be left alone. They were there to guard me after all. But this way I didn't have to deal with the awkwardness, they could work out who would and won't join me on their own.

I knew that they wouldn't send Natsu or Happy. But, as far as the others were concerned I figured it was anyone's game. Lucy was nice, Erza didn't mind my silence, and Grey had been the one to drag me back to Lucy's the night before.

I found that I didn't even care who they picked. I was planning on napping anyway. Or anticipating may have been a more fitting word, since I wasn't sure my body was going to give me much of a choice in the matter.

"Is this seat taken?"

The voice nearly made my jump out of my skin. I had been expecting one of the fairies to come over, but when I looked up I saw a stranger. Immediately I started to notice red flags. The man was in his early twenties, and dressed to fashionably to not be in first class. Not to mention there were plenty of open seats around me, including across from me in the same compartment. But he was indicating to the one right next to me.

I mentaly cursed myself for not taking the aisle seat, cutting off easy access. But I had been assuming that I was leaving it open for one of the fairies to settle into unobtrusively, not for some stranger to take advantage of.

"It's taken," I said coldly.

I was hoping that he would just go away, but what my magic told me was not reassuring.

"Come on," he said, "Don't be like that."

Why did this have to happen to me? I had been hoping for an easy ride before the stress and uncertainty of the upcoming job.

"It's not right for a petty little girl like you to be traveling alone."

I became acutely aware of the dagger that was tucked into my belt. If the man tried anything he would be dead in an instant. If I really were alone, I could make it off the train without being seen. If I weren't with Fairy Tail then the man might have been dead already. But this time, all I could do was hold my tongue.

"I'll stay here," he stepped forward, parearping to sit next to me. "Help keep you safe."

I was searching for some way to get rid of him when someone else spoke. "Are we gonna have a problem?"

Grey. I never realised I would be so happy to hear his voice.

The man stiffened imdeiatly. He was quite a bit taller than Grey, but I didn't sence any magic from him. If it came to a fight, Grey would win in by a landslide.

"Back off," Grey ordered, giveing the man an icy glare.

The stranger may have been a creep but aprently he wasn't stupid. He backed up with hands in the air. "Sorry I didn't realize you had eyes on her first," he spat, "but let me know if you want to share."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth the man realized he'd made a mistake. I had never seen Grey so angry before. It was as though his surge of emotion was strong enough to infect everyone, not just the ones with empathic abilities. "I said back off."

The man didn't need to be told again, he continued itching back until he backed into the door at the end of the car, only breaking eye contact when he ducked though it and out of sight.

"Is everything okay over there?" I heard Erza call from behind me.

"It is now," Grey said back.

He turned to face me, and I looked away just in time to avoid his gaze. This seemed to frustrate him, but he said nothing as he took the seat next to me.

The only thing I could think about was how piercing his eyes had become when he was staring down the man. What was how he treated all his enemies? Was that what he really thought about me? I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

Grey let out a deep breath, as if dispeling something fowl from his system. "Are you good?" he asked.

I kept my eyes on the floor, expecting a trap. "I'm fine."

"I hate creeps like that guy."

And I knew it was true.

"I could have handled him."

Grey nodded, he had understood that from the beginning. "Just saving you some trouble."

So it was pure chivalry then. I supposed I didn't care one way or another. I was glad I didn't have to make a scene, even if Grey had only taken my place on the hot seat.

I wasn't sure how I was supposed to respond, so I opted not to. It was rude perhaps but I doubted Grey was expecting anything different. We had a few hours until we made it to Hargeon, and I needed all of them to overthink.